The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-22
WOOLENS AND WORSTEDS.
Manufacturers Determine to Correct Certain
Abuses in Their Business.

New YORK, Dec 21.-Representatives Of the
principal wooden and worsted manufacturers of
the United States met this morning to discuss
matters pertinent to their business and to cor
rect certain abuses that have crept in, princi-
pally those connected with the credit and dis
count systems. Thomas Dolan, of Philadelphia
was chosen chairman, and A. S. Leland, secre-
tary. On taking the chair, Mr.. Doiau said:
.'It is manifest from the large representation
present that grave errors and wrongs have crept
into or have been thrust into. the conduct of
our affairs, and the wonder is thati has been so
long submitted to without united remonstrance.
1t is not only the very Objectionable terms that
are made and given in the sale of our products.
but the conditions are such that we are
called upon to guarantee and become RESPONSE
BILE for the mistakes of customers. and. In
short. to guarantee profit to all hands through
which our goods pass to the consumer. In short,
from want of courage, we have absolutely per-
mitted the management OF our affairs to be die
tated by our customers, and we have. each and
all, become simply part of the machinery of
our mills 1 candidly believe that all the sub
stantal purchasers of your products will not
only accept the terms and conditions you may
conclude on, but will hail with joy tho oppor-
tunity you present to them to Justify cur tail
ment of credit and discounts TO their Gus
toners"
Mr.. Merriman. of Rhode Island. on behalf of
the committee that had called the meeting, Of
fered the following as the rules to be adopted:
''All bills to date from the delivery of goods,
and to be either six months straight or with dis
count of l per cent. per month to shorten time
''All bills to be settled at the end of thirty
days, either by cash by notes to be charged
for.
Reference samples only to be given to pur-
chasers All other samples TO be charged for.
Commission houses 20 be requested to print
these rules upon their bill heads, and to en-
deavor in good faith. to live up TO them"
After a plain statement by Mr. Merriman, the
rules were unanimously adopted.
The senior member of the firm of A. J. JUL
lard e Cn aH IN he abs IF nv
representatives. of the foreign houses. He said
the tariff of 1888 designed to afford us a
sufficient protection. but we all are
losing ground, while tine importation of
foreign goods has increased in the most
alarming manner. A conspicuous example of
elimination in the of duty imposed upon
wooden and worsted cloths. In cases the
duty on the wool used in making worsted cloths
exceeds the DUTY imposed on the finished article.
There is much reason to believe that the manu-
facture of worsted cloths must cease in
this country unless the tariff laws in this regard
amended. The loss in revenue through the
frauds and devices of the foreign manufacturers
is small to the government. but any system of
deceit thar, IN practical effect reduces the duties
On worsted and woolerS 20 or even 10 per cent.
below the rate contem plated by our tariff laws
a most serious matter to us-almost u question
of life and death to our domestic industries
Mr. Julllard presented agreement which
called for the subscription of money to organize
fund for the payment of agents at the princi
pal custom houses to keep the organization ad
vised to the importations of wooden and
worsted fables; to assist in the detection and
evasion of tariff laws, and to generally assist in
protecting home manufactures. Thirty-six firms
agreed to contribute various annual amounts for
three years. beginning the 1st prox. A
treasurer who will under the general direc-
tons of the president of the American Protect
i've Tariff League will be appointed to handle
the funds.
The organization adopted. as a permanent
name ''The Association of Wooden and Worsted
Manufacturers and Commission Houses" Then
followed long discussion on the question of
when the credit rules should go into effect. 1t
finally resolved to leave the fixing of the
date to a committee composed of the chairman,
four manufacturers and four commission
chants, and to recommend that the committee
report in favor of a sixty-day settlement instead
of thirty days. The meeting then adjourned.
The members who signed the agreement to
tablish custom house espionage subscribed
$40, 600 within few minures